Anyone have any insight into how long we need to stay in August?
When we brought our son last year, the parent activities were on the first two days only. None of them were compulsory. I found the guide from two years ago here (https://www.chapman.edu/students/new-students/_files/orientation-pdfs/2013-first-year-orientation.pdf) - it was very similar last year.
We stayed two nights.
Two days; Tuesday and Wednesday. Parents should not miss these two days; it’s an incredible bonding experience for you and your young adult and answers so many questions that you will have about the Chapman U life your child will now be living. Tuesday morning your child moves into the dorms with your help.
It is great the Seattle Mom posted the student orientation schedule for you in the .pdf document; look where is says family. There is also a parent orientation schedule that they will give you.
Check out the videos at this link to get a feel of the orientation experience:
http://www.chapman.edu/students/new-students/first-year-experience/orientation/
Click on “Watch more videos here” when you get to this webpage.
Since we are from out of state, we flew down on Sunday and got most of our shopping and bank business done Sunday and Monday. My daughter had an early move in time on Tuesday. We did more shopping after having seen the space. She began staying in the dorm with her roommates that night. I would meet up with my daughter at various events during the day on Wednesday. I stayed for the full two days of parent orientation and do not regret it. The lighting ceremony was a great experience as well as the convocation. I did not see my daughter after I said good bye before the convocation. They have plans for the class to get to know each other immediately following the convocation. I left early Thursday morning - total nights 4.
I saw today the following was posted on the Chapman U Admission Tumblr blog:
Orientation
Orientation is only a month away! The goal for Orientation is to help students and families get settled in and introduced to Chapman University while building lasting relationships in the process. This week is a valuable time to start building the community that’ll surround you until graduation and beyond.
Some important dates to note
FIRST YEAR STUDENTS:
• Move In Day: Aug. 25th
• Orientation: Aug. 25th - 30th
• First Year Family Orientation: Aug. 25th & 26th
TRANSFER STUDENTS:
• Move In Day: Aug. 27th
• Orientation: Aug. 27th - 30th
• Transfer Family Orientation: Aug. 27th
What to expect
During the week of Orientation, you will acquire a lot of useful information via your Orientation Leaders and fun activities. With a trip to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, ‘Playfair’ on our football field, themed dances, and small breakout sessions with your peers, new students will start their Chapman experience with a bang! Want to meet your Orientation Leaders? You can find them here:
http://www.chapman.edu/students/new-students/first-year-experience/meet-the-orientation-assistants.aspx
Family Orientation
Chapman Orientation has specific breakout sessions specifically for families. Options span from information sessions on clubs and extra curriculars (such as Greek Life) to Financial Aid. There are also many welcome receptions for new students and their family members throughout Family Orientation.
Orientation Tips Direct From A Chapman Student
Here are a few tips for Move In and Orientation from one of our recent graduates, Brock Ciarlelli. Brock went through Orientation as a freshman and also worked as an Orientation Leader his junior year.
TIPS FOR MOVE IN DAY: No matter how well you plan, you will inevitably make multiple trips to Target! During my move in day, I’m pretty sure Mom and I ventured to Target 3 times. Just want to give you the heads up!
FAVORITE PART OF FRESHMAN ORIENTATION: Being surrounded by my entire class who was going through the same process I was. It’s not easy to leave home and move across the country. Orientation allowed for an easy transition and the opportunity to connect with so many people that I’m still friends with today.
FAVORITE PART OF ORIENTATION AS AN ORIENTATION LEADER: Being able to be a form of support for the incoming students. Whether it’s helping a student find Beckman Hall or offering words of advice to a student who’s homesick, we are all a part of the Chapman family. When people say everyone at Chapman is truly genuine, that’s not a myth.
ADVICE TO PAY FORWARD: The most important piece advice I can offer to any incoming student is to be willing to put yourself out there. Like I said, everyone is going through the same experience as you. Don’t be afraid to offer a handshake and introduce yourself. It’s not unusual to sit down with people you don’t know and strike up a conversation. That’s how I met my current roommate and most of my Chapman friends.
Don’t forget to register for Orientation as well! You can do that here:
https://secure.vzorientation.com/chapman/
Have a great rest of your summer, and we’ll see you in August!